N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is derived from the sulfur-containing amino acid, cysteine, then acetylated to its supplemental form.

Major Health Benefits

N-Acetyl Cysteine has been shown to promote detoxification, to act as a potent antioxidant, and to serve as a precursor to glutathione in the body. It has been suggested in preclinical studies that NAC may aid in reducing inflammation and oxidative damage in the lung tissue.1 NAC has shown effects in reducing neurological symptoms such as: dizziness, headache, memory loss, hearing loss, and sleeping disturbances for individuals with mild traumatic brain injuries.2,3

References

  1. Arafa MH, Mohamed DA, Atteia HH. Ameliorative effect of N-acetyl cysteine on alpha-cypermethrin-induced pulmonary toxicity in male rats. Environ Toxicol. 2015 Jan;30(1):26-43.PMID: 23900960.
  2. Hoffer ME, Balaban C, Slade MD, Tsao JW, Hoffer B. Amelioration of acute sequelae of blast induced mild traumatic brain injury by N-acetyl cysteine: a double-blind, placebo controlled study. PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e54163.PMID: 23372680; PMCID: PMC3553161.
  3. Bavarsad Shahripour R, Harrigan MR, Alexandrov AV. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in neurological disorders: mechanisms of action and therapeutic opportunities. Brain Behav. 2014 Mar;4(2):108-22.PMID: 24683506; PMCID: PMC3967529.